<p>Let's say I got accepted into school "a", which I will have to pay a hefty fee in order to secure a spot. Let's also say that I got off the waitlist off another school (school "b"), which I will be more willing to go to. By signing to postcard and paying the fee, does that mean I am obligated to attend that school (as in I have to attend or else there could be legal consequences)?</p>
<p>Correction: There’s a chance I can get off the waitlist, but I haven’t gotten off yet.</p>
<p>btw: I got waitlisted at 7 schools, if that helps…</p>
<p>Read the enrollment contract</p>
<p>Most schools have a firm deadline after which tuition (or setup of a payment plan) is due. Typically this is either July 1 or July 15. After this date, all tuition is due no matter what. So if you get in off the waitlist at another school, you will lose your deposit at school #1. If you get in off the waitlist AFTER the July deadline, then you will be responsible for the tuition (typically). Read the fine print of each school’s contract however.</p>
<p>Love the school that loves you</p>
<p>I am encountering the same issue. But, I have looked at the enrollment contract and I’m fairly certain I could get some sort of refund if I pull out of admissions in July.</p>
<p>The safety deposit’s reason of existence is so that a commit doesn’t pull out at the last moment. It seems a little moot, then, to refund it.</p>
<p>^I agree.</p>
<p>But there are no legal consequences right?</p>
<p>Besides your forfeiting of a thousand dollars? I don’t think so.</p>
<p>Look at sgopal2’s post above-- after a certain date, you ARE responsible for full tuition. Before that-- it’s “just” the deposit. It varies by school.</p>
<p>Do NOT assume that every school has the same contractual terms. No one here can advise you on a contract they have not seen.</p>
<p>You have the contract in your hands; JUST READ IT. </p>
<p>Also, we have noticed that deposit amounts vary widely.</p>
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<p>Actually OP is only on WL’s. It will be rare to get off 1 WL, let alone 2, so the question is pretty moot.</p>
<p>You’re not obligated to attend the school (it’s not like a college early decision). But you WILL lose your down payment, and they will not give it back- that’s the entire point. If you’re willing to lose that sum of money if you get a spot at your first choice, then by all means accept your offer (if you’re willing to go, of course). If you don’t want to go or you can’t lose that money, think long and hard before sending in your decision. Work the waitlist and find other options, like applying next year. If you say you will attend and put down the payment, you’ll have to send in a tuition plan (and a large chunk of tuition) or all of your tuition sometime in the summer, so take that into consideration. Basically, you need to read both your waitlist letter and acceptance letter, think and talk about it with your family, and make the decision that’s right for you; no one on here can properly help you without knowing your position, the schools, your down payment sums, etc.</p>